THE HARWICH-ZEEBRUGGE FERRY.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 14

THE HARWICH-ZEEBRUGGE FERRY.

The site chosen on the Belgian side for the . new (commercial boat:train service between Harwich - and Zeebrugge is in close proximity to the railway, line from Bruges to Zeebrugge, with which it is being connected up,' to allowHh'e goods trains to have access right,-;on to the ferry boats. To the left of the inner dock there is extensive unbuilt land which will shortly be transformed into docks. At present: tne digging of the foundations of the jetty is losing actively pushed forward/ It will be in tha form of-the letter U; exactly to correspond with the contour-"of the ferry boat, which -will thus fit in. An electrically, worked gangway; will drop on to the fleck, and then trucks and wagons will run straight 'on board. Each ferry boat will carry 56, ten-ton wagons, on four lines of rails. \

With this object in view, the Great Eastern Train Ferries Company, Ltd, bought four ships, built in. 1017, which during the war were used as transports for the British tanks. The" shipping of the 56 wagons on to the ferry boat will be done in about one hour. ■

It is easy to understand the great importance of this service, which will be connected with the whole of the Continentjil traffic: with England,- says the Manchester Guardian." V Italy and Switzerland seem to he the- countries principally interested in the'new scheme which offers a rapid and economical out^ let for ,theu- -produce. Byiusing tho ferry boats, the goods wagons remaining closed until arrival at" destination, the expenses of transhipment'and packing are^saved, the risk of theft diminished, and an easy transport.'assured of fragile {goods,. glassware, '.-etc. This method of transports will also considerably facilitate the exportation of wines acids, and other liquids by, the use of tank, wagons. '". '■<'. The rolling-stock which v w ili he used by the company will be so-arranged as to comply;with the British Vgauge and tne conditions decided on tV the Tech ™f. Bu^a, v °f f ßevne. To':thi 6 end use will be made of the wagons; which were enf nKv° n + l, Sl^^"^" 69 01?^he Continent by the British Government after the Armistice The transit from Italy or Switzerland , would last three days and three nights at most. Alongside the dock .where the ferry boats will he moored numerous sheds and warehouse,, will be constructed: :-..'.-•• •